Faucet assembly

ABSTRACT

A handle assembly for a faucet that includes a silicone member configured to slide over and be removable coupled to a faucet handle, wherein the silicone member comprises an opening in which the faucet handle may be received and an external surface that may be gripped by a user. A faucet handle may include a longitudinal groove used to allow air to escape from the opening of the silicone member. The handle assembly does not require additional elements to couple the silicone member to the faucet handle.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to faucet assemblies, and moreparticularly, to a handle for a faucet assembly. A faucet, such as afaucet used to supply water for a kitchen or bathroom sink, generallyincludes one or more handles to control the flow and/or temperature ofwater that is dispensed from a faucet spout. Such handles for a faucetmay come in many shapes and sizes, and may be made from a variety ofmaterials. Typically, a faucet handle is coupled to a valve assembly ofa faucet, and a user may pivot or rotate the faucet handle to controlthe valve assembly and regulate the flow and temperature of waterdispensed from the faucet spout. A faucet handle may couple to the valveassembly in a variety of ways. Fasteners, such as a threaded screw, maybe used to couple a faucet handle to a valve. A handle for a faucet maybe integrally formed with the valve assembly. For instance, a faucethandle may be molded as part of the valve assembly for a faucet. Otherfaucet handles may include an end with a threaded hole, and the handlemay threadably couple to an extension of the valve assembly. Variousembodiments disclosed herein are related to an improved faucet andhandle assembly.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a handle assembly for afaucet. The handle assembly includes a handle and a silicone member thatis configured to slide over and be removable coupled to the handle. Thesilicone member includes an opening in which the handle may be receivedand an external surface that may be gripped by a user.

Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to a faucet that includes aspout and a handle assembly that is configured to control the flow ofwater from the spout. The handle assembly includes a handle and asilicone member that is configured to be removable coupled to thehandle. The silicone member includes an opening in which the faucethandle may be received and an external surface that may be gripped by auser. Further, the faucet handle includes a first end that is receivedby the silicone member and a longitudinal recess extending from thefirst end and along at least a portion of the length of the handle.

Yet another embodiment of the disclosure relates to a cover for a handleof a faucet. The cover includes a silicone member that is configured tobe removably coupled to a faucet handle. The silicone member includes anopening in which the faucet handle may be received and an externalsurface that may be gripped by a user, the perimeter of the opening ofthe silicone member is smaller than the perimeter of a first end of thefaucet handle received within the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet assembly according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a faucet handle assembly usable with thefaucet assembly of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet handle assemblyshown in FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a faucet handle according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the faucet handle shown in FIG. 4 according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the faucet handle shown in FIG. 4 according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the faucet handle shown in FIG. 4according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a cover for a faucet handle according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 7 accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a cover for a faucet handle according to analternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a faucet handle according to an alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a faucet handle assembly according to analternative embodiment. The faucet handle is shown as a solid part andthe cover is shown as a cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, faucet handles are not designed to be periodically removedfrom the faucet assembly. This is not to say that faucet handles aregenerally incapable of being removed. Rather, faucet handles typicallyremain fixed to the faucet assembly, and if the faucet handle needs tobe cleaned, a user may typically clean the faucet handle in its fixedposition. In some cases, a user may need to periodically adjust, ortighten, a faucet handle (i.e., when a faucet handle is coupled to afaucet assembly using a fastener).

In some cases, it would be desirable for a faucet handle to be easilyremovable from the faucet assembly. For example, in order to wash afaucet handle in a sink or dishwasher, it may be desirable for thehandle to be easily removable. Also, if a user would like to replace afaucet handle with another handle having different features, it may bedesirable for the handle to be easily removable.

Referring now to FIG. 1, and according to an exemplary embodiment, afaucet assembly 2 may include a faucet spout 20 and a faucet handleassembly 1. A single faucet handle 3 of the faucet handle assembly 1 maybe used to control the amount and/or temperature of water dispensed fromfaucet spout 20. According to alternative embodiments, two or morefaucet handles may be used to control water from different sources.Handle assembly 1 may include a cover 4 that is configured to beremovable from faucet handle 3.

Referring to FIG. 8, cover 4 may include a first end having an opening8. A central bore 5 may be defined by opening 8 of cover 4. Althoughthis disclosure is not intended to limit the materials that may be usedto make cover 4, according to an exemplary embodiment, cover 4 may be asilicone cover made out of silicone rubber. For example, a siliconerubber material may be injection molded to form cover 4 so that an innersurface of bore 5 is configured to be retained against faucet handle 3.For example, a surface finish of cover 4 may provide sufficient adhesionto retain cover 4 against faucet handle 3 when a user grasps cover 4 andoperates the faucet handle. In some embodiments, opening 8 of cover 4may have an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter offaucet handle 3 prior to installing cover 4 onto handle 3. Therefore,opening 8 and/or bore 5 of cover 4 may be configured to stretch in orderto receive faucet handle 3, and an elastic compressive force may be usedto hold or retain cover 4 against faucet handle 3.

According to another exemplary embodiment, cover 4 may be configuredsuch that opening 8 and/or bore 5 of cover 4 may have outer diametersthat are equal to or greater than an outer diameter of faucet handle 3.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, cover 4 for faucet handle 3 may include anexterior surface 7 that is configured to be grasped by a hand of a user.As shown in FIG. 9, and according to an exemplary embodiment, exteriorsurface 7 of cover 4 may be tapered from an end proximate opening 8, andhaving a relatively smaller diameter, toward an end 9 opposite opening8, and having a relatively larger diameter. In alternative embodiments,exterior surface 7 may be cylindrically shaped, or may have anotherpolygonal shape (i.e., a hexagonal exterior or star-shaped exterior,etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, faucet handle 3 may include an elongated membershown as a rod 10 (e.g., a bar, elongated member, cylindrical portion,etc.) which is configured to receive bore 5 of cover 4. Rod 10 may havea uniform diameter across its length, and the outer diameter of rod 10may in some embodiments be larger than the inner diameter of bore 5 ofcover 4 (prior to installation of cover 4 onto handle 3). As notedabove, in alternative embodiments, rod 10 may have an outer diameterthat is less than the inner diameter bore 5. According to an exemplaryembodiment, faucet handle 3 may be die-cast out of a zinc alloy.According to alternative embodiments, handle 3 may be made out ofvarious other materials, including other metals, a polymeric material,composite materials, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, rod 10 may have a longitudinal groove 11 (e.g., arecess, channel, etc.) along all or at least a portion of its length.Longitudinal groove 11 may be U-shaped, or have a curvature that isconvex along a portion of the length of rod 10. Alternatively,longitudinal groove 11 may be configured as a keyed slot. In otherwords, longitudinal groove 11 may have a bottom surface, as well as twoside surfaces that are perpendicular to the bottom surface. Longitudinalgroove 11 may be configured to allow air to escape from bore 5 of cover4, as cover 4 is slid over rod 10, thereby facilitating assembly ofcover 4 onto faucet handle 3. Longitudinal groove 11 may also be used torestrict rotational movement of the cover 4 around the rod 10 of thefaucet handle 3. For example, in an embodiment in which the innerdiameter of bore 5 of cover 4 is smaller than the outer diameter of rod10, a portion of cover 4 may be forced into longitudinal groove 11 alongat least a portion of the length of rod 10, thereby limiting therotational movement of cover 4 about rod 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, rod 10 of faucet handle 3 and bore5 of cover 4 are cylindrical (e.g., have generally correspondingcylindrical shapes to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of thecomponents). According to alternative embodiments, rod 10 and bore 5 mayhave different cross-sections (i.e., square, rectangular, multi-sided,etc.), that may generally correspond with each other or that may havediffering configurations.

Referring to FIG. 9, opening 8 of cover 4 may curve radially outwards(e.g., taper, flare, etc.) toward exterior surface 7 of cover 4. Such anopening may facilitate positioning of the cover 4 over the faucet handle3 (e.g., by providing a relatively larger diameter opening at the end ofcover 4 which initially receives handle 3). As shown in FIG. 5, firstend 6 of faucet handle 3 may include a rounded outside edge, which mayalso facilitate positioning of cover 4 over faucet handle 3.

In some embodiments, cover 4 for the handle assembly 1 mayadvantageously be a removable cover that is easily removable andinterchangeable. Cover 4 may slide over faucet handle 3, and otherelements (i.e. fasteners, adhesive) may not be necessary to couple cover4 to faucet handle 3 and retain cover 4 securely in position during use,yet allow removal, replacement, etc. of cover 4 when desired. It may bedesirable for faucet handle assembly 1 to include a removable cover,such as cover 4, to facilitate cleaning cover 4 in a dishwasher or asink. In addition, a user may easily interchange cover 4 with adifferent cover, as the user finds necessary, or to satisfy the decor ofa kitchen or bathroom.

A removable or interchangeable cover, such as cover 4 for handleassembly 1 may be made from a material other than silicone rubber. Forexample, in various alternative embodiments, any material that may beconfigured to removably couple to a faucet handle may be used inconnection with cover 4.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, in an alternative embodiment, handle 3 mayinclude an annular groove 14 (e.g., a recess, channel, slot, etc.) andcover 4 may include a annular protrusion 15 (e.g., a projection, etc.)Annular groove 14 may be configured to receive annular protrusion 15when cover 4 is coupled to the handle 3. In some embodiments, groove 14and/or projection 15 may extend 360 degrees about each other. In otherembodiments, groove 14 and and/or projection 15 may extend about eachfor less than 360 degrees in an arcuate/semi-circular fashion. Otherconfigurations of groove 14 and/or projection 15 are possible accordingto various other embodiments. Furthermore, it should be noted that thefeatures of the groove/projection shown in FIGS. 10-12 may be used incombination with any of the other features of the faucet assemblydisclosed herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate the benefits of aremovable and interchangeable cover for a faucet handle assembly. Forexample, when it becomes desirable to clean a faucet handle assembly, auser may simply pull the cover from the faucet handle, and use adishwasher to wash it, or wash it by hand in a sink.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”“essentially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning inharmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill inthe art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Itshould be understood by those of skill in the art who review thisdisclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description ofcertain features described and claimed without restricting the scope ofthese features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly,these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial orinconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matterdescribed and claimed are considered to be within the scope of thedisclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removableor releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thefaucet handle assembly as shown in the various exemplary embodiments areillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been describedin detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review thisdisclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible(e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, manufacturingprocesses, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachingsand advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement ofthe various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A handle assembly for a faucet, the handle assemblycomprising: a faucet handle defining a cylindrical portion extendingfrom an end to a flange portion and having a constant outer diameterbetween the end and the flange portion; and a cover configured to slideover and be removably coupled to the faucet handle, wherein the covercomprises an opening configured to receive the faucet handle and anexternal surface configured to be gripped by a user; wherein the covercomprises an internal bore extending from the opening to a closed end,the internal bore having a constant diameter along a substantial lengthof the cover; wherein the faucet handle includes an annular groove andthe cover member includes an annular protrusion, wherein the annularprotrusion is configured to couple to the annular groove when the coveris assembled onto the faucet handle.
 22. The assembly of claim 21,wherein the constant diameter of the internal bore is less than theconstant outer diameter of the faucet handle such that at least aportion of the cover is forced into the annular groove when the cover isslid over the faucet handle due at least to the size differentialbetween the internal bore and the faucet handle.
 23. The assembly ofclaim 21, wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annularprotrusion extends 360 degrees about each other.
 24. The assembly ofclaim 21, wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annularprotrusion extends less than 360 degrees.
 25. The assembly of claim 21,wherein the cover is made of silicone rubber.
 26. The assembly of claim21, wherein surface tensions of the bore and the faucet handle areconfigured to operably retain the cover to the faucet handle.
 27. Theassembly of claim 26, wherein the diameter of the opening of the coveris smaller than the diameter of the faucet handle.
 28. The assembly ofclaim 21, wherein the opening of the cover is curved outward toward theexternal surface.
 29. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the faucethandle is die cast from a zinc alloy.
 30. A faucet assembly comprising:a spout; a handle assembly configured to control the flow of water fromthe spout, the handle assembly comprising: a handle defining acylindrical portion extending from a first end to a flange portion andhaving a constant outer diameter between the end and the flange portion;and a member configured to be removably coupled to the handle, whereinthe member comprises an opening configured to receive the handle and anexternal surface configured to be gripped by a user; wherein the membercomprises an internal bore extending from the opening to a closed end,the internal bore having a constant diameter along a substantial lengthof the cover; and wherein the handle includes an annular groove and themember includes an annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion isconfigured to couple to and be received within the annular groove whenthe cover is assembled onto the handle.
 31. The faucet assembly of claim30, wherein the constant diameter of the internal bore is less than theconstant outer diameter of the handle such that at least a portion ofthe cover is forced into the annular groove when the member is slid overthe handle due at least to the size differential between the internalbore and the handle.
 32. The faucet assembly of claim 30, wherein anelement separate from the member and the handle is not used to couplethe member to the handle.
 33. The faucet assembly of claim 30, whereinat least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends360 degrees about each other.
 34. The faucet assembly of claim 30,wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusionextends less than 360 degrees.
 35. The faucet assembly of claim 30,wherein the perimeter of the opening of the member is smaller than theperimeter of the handle.
 36. The faucet assembly of claim 30, whereinthe opening of the member is curved outward toward the external surface.37. A handle assembly for a faucet, the handle assembly comprising: afaucet handle comprising a rod, the rod having constant cross-sectionextending from an end to a flange portion; a cover configured to beremovably coupled to the rod, wherein the cover comprises a generallysmooth inner surface defining an opening configured to receive the rodand an external surface configured to be gripped by a user; wherein aperimeter of the opening of the cover is smaller than an outer perimeterof a portion of the rod which is received within the opening; whereinthe cover comprises an internal bore extending from the opening to aclosed end, the internal bore having a constant diameter along asubstantial length of the cover; wherein the rod includes an annulargroove and the member includes an annular protrusion, wherein theannular protrusion is configured to couple to and be received within theannular groove when the cover is assembled onto the rod.
 38. The handleassembly of claim 37, wherein the constant diameter of the internal boreis less than the constant cross-section of the rod such that a portionof the cover is forced into the annular groove when the rod is receivedby the cover due at least to the size differential between the internalbore and the rod.
 39. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein at leastone of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends 360 degreesabout each other.
 40. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein at leastone of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends less than360 degrees.